The Manneken Pis statue in Brussels has been fitted with a new Welsh Guards uniform, 81 years after British forces liberated the city from Nazi occupation. The original uniform, gifted in 1945, had become too fragile to use, missing the 80th anniversary last year.
The new costume includes a scarlet jacket with gold lace, a white belt, and a bearskin hat made from repurposed regimental headgear. It was presented by Warrant Officer Chris Greaves at a ceremony in the gothic town hall on Wednesday.
Lt Col Guy Bartle-Jones, regimental adjutant of the Welsh Guards, said the tradition honours the sacrifice made to liberate Brussels in 1944 and maintains the strong connection with the city. He noted it is part of the regiment's legacy and heritage.
The uniform is the 1,184th costume for the 58cm statue, which has been dressed for centuries. The first was a gift from French King Louis XV in 1747. Geoffroy Coomans de Brachène, a Brussels parliament member, called the new uniform a symbol of friendship between Brussels and the UK.
